The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child see an orthodontist no later than age 7. That way, an orthodontist will be able to detect small issues with your child’s teeth and jaws before they grow into larger problems.
Here’s what else you’ll need to know about your child’s first orthodontic check-up.
WE MAY NEED TO START PHASE 1 TREATMENT
Dr. Siara-Olds may recommend Phase 1 treatment if your child has moderate to severe orthodontic issues. During Phase 1 treatment, we create space in your child’s jaw for all of their permanent adult teeth. As such, there’s a limited window of time for Phase 1 treatment while the jaw is still growing.
In general, we may recommend Phase 1 treatment when your child is between the ages of six and ten. Children that receive Phase 1 orthodontics are often able to avoid headgear, rubber bands, and other appliances during Phase 2. This is because we’re able to guide their jaw growth and development during the first phase.
WE MAY CHOOSE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION
Each patient is different. Depending on your child’s orthodontic needs, they may not need to start treatment right away. If this is the case, Dr. Siara-Olds may continue to monitor their dental growth and development but plan to start their treatment at a later age.
Not all children need Phase 1 treatment. Some of our patients are able to start orthodontics in middle or high school with excellent results.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO SEE AN ORTHODONTIST
Ideally, we would see each patient at age 7 to evaluate their orthodontic needs. But we also understand that this isn’t always possible. For this reason, we always want to encourage our patients to see an orthodontist at any stage in life.
It’s never too late to achieve a healthier, more attractive smile. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists reports that 1 in 4 orthodontic patients is an adult.
While it may be easier to correct certain issues while the jaw is still growing, there are still plenty of treatment options for adults. Dr. Siara-Olds would be more than happy to help you explore the possibilities.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. SIARA-OLDS
Dr. Siara-Olds is a board-certified orthodontist in Milford, MI, who accepts patients of all ages. She’d be more than happy to evaluate your child’s orthodontic needs during their consultation and develop a custom treatment plan if needed.
To request a consultation, please call Siara-Olds Orthodontics at (248) 684-6833. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.
